Are you accused or beaten down? Want to dream again? Reach your destiny? DO NOT BE AFRAID. Faith is moving without knowing. No one can touch you, nothing can stop you. You are UNBREAKABLE. All you need to do -- is trust.
Strong words, yet these are the very thoughts behind the title track of Fireflight's latest offering Unbreakable. And they just might be on to something. Who among us hasn't felt the need to dream again? To move past the things that beat us down, to feel (dare we say it?) unstoppable? It's these daring sentiments that urged music execs at the NBC network to license "Unbreakable" for its fall promos of primetime TV show "Bionic Woman," making the inspiring soundtrack into one of the definitive rock anthems of the popular hit series. "Unbreakable," based on the classic gospel story of the adulteress set to be stoned, examines the woman's empowered mindset after the tables are turned on her accusers.
"The people in charge were ready to kill her, and Jesus speaks up for her, changes their minds and makes them feel ashamed for accusing her," explains Dawn Richardson, the group's fiery lead singer. "How would you feel if you were the woman? She knows she's guilty, and yet she's suddenly free and given a second chance." True to Richardson's resoluteness, lyrics from the band's sophomore project capture that same spirit of renewed strength.
Like the title track, Unbreakable addresses the many trying circumstances that can strike one's soul. "The Love We Had Before" examines the disagreements that can swallow a relationship whole, while "Brand New Day" addresses the traps of depression and the power to move past them. "Forever" takes a more somber tone with admissions of loneliness and isolation, yet "You Gave Me a Promise" exudes defiant hope against a backdrop of Siamese Dream-like guitar layers. "Wrapped In Your Arms," the album's acoustic closer, ties all the themes together with one final statement of faith and triumph.
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Unbreakable| Posted September 29, 2008
”Unbreakable” is not only the title track—aptly chosen by the producers of “Bionic Woman” to air on NBC—it is the ideal word to describe the latest effort from Fireflight. The album delivers a seamless mix of hard-hitting, rock rhythms, riffs and hooks, balanced with the pure vocals of front woman Dawn Richardson. The result is a driving collection of songs that unquestionably rings true to Fireflight’s alt-rock style, but doesn’t sacrifice powerful lyrics, strong messages and memorable delivery.
Picking up where the title track ends, “You Gave Me a Promise” immediately catches listeners’ attention with a catchy percussion scheme, which leads directly into lyrics that will most likely resonate with any audience. Moving on, the album is full of musical surprises—check out the string intro on track 3—and poignant lyrics. The one thing this album lacks is enough variation to make each track stand out on its own. The same heavy production and intense orchestration song after song tends to meld the tracks together into an almost indistinguishable whole. While this is great for a cohesive album, it might cause the listener to either lose interest or zone out along the way. This band is clearly blessed with incredible vocals, strong musicianship and intense production. It might do well to rely a little less on the latter to make the former shine. - Caroline Lusk
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Fireflight [Unbreakable]| Posted September 24, 2008
[Main Review]
Energy packed encouragement with hardcore bass layers make “Unbreakable” the perfect title for this work. The music makes a strong first impression with the title song “Unbreakable,” and continues into the slower melodies of the following songs. Perhaps a softer-vocal Flyleaf or a female led Skillet sound; but don’t be fooled. This is no chick band. Fireflight offers a great range of emotion and experience in their lyrics, expressed through music that could take your breath away.
The first track, “Unbreakable,” leads off with an attention grabbing tale of accusers, a savior, and one that has been beaten and bruised. Inspired by the gospel’s account of Jesus saving and forgiving the adulteress that was about to be stoned, it gives listeners permission to dream without fear, and to follow faith running.
The whole album has a focus of deep love and empowerment possible only through our Savior. When life drags us away from God, we need to refocus, and come back to where we need to be: walking with Jesus. Each song on this album has a purpose and a background. There is not guessing about vague lyrics or melodramatic poetry. In a call to hold God to his word, “You gave me a promise” says that in the midst of any difficulty that life is sure to bring, there is a rock, a safe refuge to cling to, and someone to trust in. “The waves are crashing down on me/ But I know that this cannot be the end…/ I will hold on to this hope that I have/ You gave me a promise…”
“The Love we had before,” is certainly a highlight, leading off with a surprise as male vocals suddenly interrupt lead vocalist Dawn Richardson to start out the song. It continues with an Evanescence-like duet about love and hurt and a desire to reconcile. “We don’t have to fight anymore/ Where is the love we had before? / Wouldn’t the world be better off if we decide? / We don’t need our pride anymore…” Although perhaps about a relationship, this song sounds very much like some of the turmoil that plagues the church today. There are so many divisions and denominations, which only becomes negative when we fight with our brothers and sisters, and let our differences affect the deep love we should have for each other. “Sorry I was such a fool/ Never saw your point of view/ Can we start over somehow? / You know we only hurt ourselves/ When we don’t communicate/ Why can’t we stop and make a change? / Where is the love?”
“So Help Me God” continues the theme of wanting to change and make peace, and desire to repent and move on. “It’s not too late/ to leave it all behind/ So help me God / to let this go…” There are times when we all want to change and are ready to scream out for help, but we seem to keep falling back into old patterns. Yet, only in God’s help is change possible.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
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Like that loveable green ogre, Shrek, this band has layers. The music echoes life experience, and pain overcome. On their MySpace page the band said that this is an intensely personal album for them, having all gone through a difficult year - both personally and professionally - while the album was being written. “Unbreakable” is a bit edgier than their first album, “The healing of harms,” but still speaks to fans of both styles. When the last song played, it definitely left me wanting more, and especially wishing someone would create Guitar Hero: Fireflight edition. We are looking forward to more projects from Fireflight.
Rating: 8.8 out of 10 (88%, B+)
Review written by: Liz Zelinski
(liz.zelinski@christianmusicreview.org)
Review can also be found at:
http://www.christianmusicreview.org/fireflight_unbreakable.html
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Unbreakable is not perfectly built| Posted February 26, 2008
After an excellent debut album, the Healing of Harms, the female fronted rock band Firflight is back with their highly anticipate sophomore release Unbreakable. The extremely talented Dawn Richards has an excellent voice which is really shown throughout the album especially on the title track "unbreakable".
There is good news and bad news about the first single and first track on the album, "unbreakable". The good news: the song rocks, in every area with a great beat and a terrific chorus. The bad news is it's the best song on the album. "You gave me a promise" is a rock song, but it does not have the smooth flow that the first song does. The light "brand new day" really expresses Richards's voice at her high, and "the hunger" is a heavier rock song but it sounds a little off in some places.
For fans of Dawn Richards's voice who don't like rock this is not the album for them. The album keeps on rocking with "stand up" which has an almost unsettling rock sound, however "forever" starts slow, but as usual it speeds up, it also has a good beat. A guy actually starts one of Fireflights songs in "where is the love" a rock song that gets a little repetitive. The album ends with "wrapped in your arms" which starts soft but before the end it really fires up.
Unlike most of the song on The Healing of Harms, the female fronted bands/singers usually focus on the prospective of one person and where God is the one being spoken too. But Fireflight lyrics fall into the same gap, as shown on so many songs: "go ahead", "brand new day", and "you gave me a promise". But they still have good things to say, clearly shown on "the hunger" which accurately portrays the atheist worldview.
There are a couple of songs that sound nice but really don't mean whole lot ("Wrapped in your arms" and "Brand new day"). The title track is about a person coming back more prepared for the problems of life. "So help me God" is a little weird because she is pleading with God to let her go of... what? It's never made clear, but the lyrics are solid for the most part.
Still very strong musically, but it seems like some of the spark is gone that was in most of Fireflights first album. The vocals are terrific, the messages, aside from being mostly okay, are fine and the music is cool. However Unbreakable is not perfectly built.
Bits and Pieces| Posted September 23, 2010
Fireflight is a Christian post-grunge/alternative metal band. I recently bought this CD. It's a cool CD. It's not amazing but it has some great songs. The highlights of the CD are...
Unbreakable
The Hunger
Stand Up
So Help Me God
Forever
Wrapped in Your Arms
Those songs are the best ones on the album. The other ones aren't nearly as memorable. The only problem I had with the CD was that the songs seemed to run togethor. They sounded alike and I had problems getting in to the music and liking it. It just takes a few listens though. Once you get to know each song it becomes a more enjoyable experience :). I would necessarily reccomend buying the whole CD, since IMO about half of the songs aren't really worth the listen, but the songs I listed above are great so I do reccomend getting those off of iTunes or something :P.
Fireflight| Posted April 15, 2010
this album is very nice. the only problem i have with it is that most of the songs seem the same. love the lyrics though. 'unbreakable', 'forever', and 'wrapped in your arms', are some of my personal favorites. these songs have helped through my hard moments and aside from the loud, upbeat rhythm of most of their songs, they are enough to touch my heart.
I got this as a free surprise gift in the mail!| Posted February 09, 2010
The title says it all! Best track is definetively "Unbreakable", but I love the soft "Wrapped In Your Arms"! Everything in between isn't so strong, though. It could have used a little touched-up, but For Those Who Wait fixes this!
probably my favorite album.| Posted February 08, 2010
this album was awesome i was looking for some really good christian rock music, the cool kind and fireflight's sound really hit home for me. A few of my non christian friends were impressed with unbreakable when they heard it on my ipod or on my page. my personal favorite from this album was standup :))
rocks!| Posted February 06, 2010
wow, this cd is awesome!! i LOVE "unbreakable," "you gave me a promise," and "stand up." even though you might look at them and see a girl as the lead singer, she definitely knows how to rock! :D
Amazing| Posted January 11, 2010
I remember listening to this album on a trip halfway across the US to do some service work in an area affected by Flooding. While I listened to this album, I found such power in the words. This band has a sold out message of hope.
The words not only relate to the lives of so many in this world but they are so solid in authority. It's obvious that this band knows their mission, and I am so thankful for their work.
Its tough to say anyone song is the best, because I like them all, but I think it might come down to forever or go ahead. Forever is so powerful, offering so much comfort, but Go Ahead has such a strong message about letting go of control and trusting God.
All I can say is this album is so awesome. I absolutely love it. And the unbreakable video is unbeatable! Watched it on TVU and was blown away.
Fireflight keep making your powerful sounds and encouraging so many. Love you guys!
AWESOME!!!!| Posted November 07, 2009
Fireflight is awesome!!!! this album is very good. my fave songs have to be Unbreakable You Gave me A Promise and The Love We Had Before. I definitely recommend this cd for Christian Rock lovers.
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